Pivoting magazine holster

Abstract

A magazine holster includes an elongated hollow housing for carrying a spring-loaded magazine carrier therein. A pivot body is mounted by a pivot to the lower part of the housing for movement of the housing to at least one position away from body armor worn by a user. Movement of the housing may be selectable at various locations along an arc from the pivot. A clamp bracket attaches the pivot body to a duty belt. A lockable strap fits over a magazine carried downwardly to secure it in a stored position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to magazine holsters used for carrying magazines for pistols and other firearms and particularly to holsters that are pivotal to allow for use by a person wearing body armor.

2. Relevant Art

A wide variety of magazine clip holders are known to the prior art and include pop-up magazine carriers such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,482. However, the increasing use of heavy and thick body armor may interfere with the quick access to holstered magazines. What is desired is a holster including an improved pop-up magazine carrier that may pivot outwardly (horizontally) to allow for use with body armor. None of the holders of the prior art are completely satisfactory.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a magazine holster comprising an elongated hollow housing having an upper open end for carrying an ammunition magazine therein in a first upward position and a downward stored position, a pivot body having upper and lower portions, a horizontal pivot mounted between the lower portion and the housing for pivotally mounting the housing to the body for adjustable movement of the housing about the pivot to dispose the upper open end in at least one location being closely adjacent a body of a user to one or more positions spaced from a body of a user. A clamp bracket is used for attaching the pivot body to a belt worn by a user to locate the housing upper open end away from body armor or the like worn by a user. Also included are cooperating fasteners mounted between the housing and the pivot body for selectively adjusting the horizontal distance between the housing and the pivot body. The cooperating fasteners include a plurality of adjustment openings formed in the upper portion of the housing generally horizontally and a post element mounted on the upper portion of the pivot body, the post element being selectively positionable in one opening to adjust the distance between the housing and the pivot body. The pivot body includes a pair of spaced pivot posts on the lower portion and a pair of spaced pivot openings formed in the lower end of the housing, the pivot axle posts are positioned in respective pivot openings for pivotally mounting the housing to the pivot body.

The cover includes a strap having an elongated body and opposite end portions. One end portion of the strap affixed to the lower portion of the housing member at a first location, the elongated body being disposed over a magazine in the stored position, the other end portion of the strap is releasably attached to the upper portion of the housing at a second location to secure a magazine in the stored position.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magazine holster comprising an elongated hollow housing having an open upper end and a closed lower portion and a releasably locking top cover for securing a magazine inside the housing in a downward stored position, a magazine carrier for carrying a single magazine and having an open upper end and a closed lower end and a pair of laterally extending tabs in contact with said housing for frictional engagement therewith slideably movable upwardly and downwardly within the housing, a spring biased between the closed lower portion of the housing and the closed lower end of the magazine carrier to urge upward motion of a magazine carried in the magazine carrier, a pivot body is included for pivotally mounting the housing having upper and lower portions and a horizontal pivot to the body for adjustable movement of the housing about the pivot to dispose the upper end in at least one location being closely adjacent a body of a user to a position spaced from a body of a user, a clamp bracket for attaching the pivot body to a belt worn by a user. Cooperating fasteners are mounted between the housing and the pivot body for selectively adjusting the horizontal distance between the housing and the pivot body. The cooperating fasteners include a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed openings formed in the upper portion of the housing and a post element mounted on the upper portion of the pivot body, the post element being selectively positionable in one opening to adjust the distance between the housing and the pivot body. The pivot body includes a pair of spaced pivot posts on the lower portion and a pair of spaced pivot openings formed in the lower end of the housing, the pivot axle posts positioned in respective pivot opening for pivotally mounting the housing to the pivot body.

The housing includes an outside shell element having upper and lower portions and an inside shell element having upper and lower portions, the shell elements affixed together to define the interior space. One end portion of the strap is affixed between the lower portions of the shell elements. The other end portion of the strap is affixed to the upper portion of the outside shell element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the magazine holster in accord with the present invention illustrating the major components;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magazine holster housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pivot body of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of the holster of FIG. 1 showing the magazine in an upward released position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the holster of FIG. 1 showing the magazine in a downward stored position;

FIG. 8 is a simplified and enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 taken on the lines 8-8;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of a portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the clip latch of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the holster of FIG. 1 with user wearing body armor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, an exploded view of major components of the pivoting magazine holster is shown at 10. A multi-shell magazine 11 fits within a magazine carrier 12 that is biased via spring 13. A housing or pouch 15 is used for carrying the magazine 11 and is movable with respect to the body of a user by way of a pivot body 14 that is attached to a belt of a user via a base plate 19, including weld nuts 20 and a belt width adjustment bar 21.

A strap 18 is attached to the housing 15 via clip 16 and clip latch 17 as will be discussed hereinbelow.

Strap 18 is made from webbing and consists of a body 22, lower hook portion 23, upper engagement strip portion 24 and a top cover or wall portion 25 and will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

Magazine carrier 12 has four vertical walls 26, two opposed lands 27 with a tapered lower end 28, provide frictional engagement with housing 15. Ledge 29 is used for engagement with spring 13. The bottom of carrier 12 is a closed end portion 30 with a lower rib 31. Carrier 12 may be sized to provide frictional engagement with a magazine 11 carried therein. Inserts 31 may be used to provide frictional engagement with magazine 11. Preferably, inserts 31 are made for the specific magazine 11 that is carried and are secured within carrier 12. Magazine carrier 12 is formed by walls 26 and has tab slots 26A at the upper and lower corners into which fit the pairs of tabs 31A of inserts 31. The inserts 31 are a snap fit into carrier 12 and can be removed and replaced with other inserts 31 that are adapted for use with a specific magazine 11.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, pivot body 14 has a pair of oppositely disposed pivot axles 32 to which housing 15 is mounted as will be discussed below. Weld nuts 20 are mounted in recesses 33 and fit through openings 34.

A pair of spaced bosses 35 is used to adjust the distance of the housing 15 from pivot body 14. Panels 38, 39 of side walls 41, and openings 36 and screw holes 40A are formed through outside wall 40.

With respect to additional FIGS. 4-6 housing 15 includes lower openings 32B into which fit a respective pivot axle 32 which are compressed via slots 32A and heads 32C to snap fit into position to pivotally mount body 14.

Housing 15 includes an outside wall 42 with arcuate slots 43 that allow air out of body 15 when magazine 11 and carrier 12 is depressed downward. Recess 44 is surrounded by arcuate wall portions 48 includes a transverse slot 45 and upper spaced walls 46 separated via slot 47 that functions as an indentation to prevent inadvertent opening of the device.

Housing 15 is made of outside shell potion 50 and inside shell portion 51 secured together with pin 52 and flanges 52A. Cooperating fasteners between housing 15 and the pivot body 14 include adjustment openings 53 which are illustrated as being five in number. One slot 53 is selected for respective posts 35 to adjust the distance housing 15 is moved from the pivot body 14. Preferably, the entire distance is about one inch providing a displacement tilt from vertical of approximately 200 as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates the housing 15 with the magazine 11 fully inserted therein. Strap 22 is secured over the magazine 11. A cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 8. Bosses 56 and 57 are used to secure the hook portion 23 of strap 18.

The operation of the device 10 is as follows. When the strap flap 18 is pulled open, magazine 11 will be pushed upward forcing the upper portion of strap unobstructed magazine position adjacent the user's body and therefore out of the way (FIGS. 4-6). Tabs or lands 27 on magazine carrier 12 frictionally engage the interior surface of housing 15 to keep the magazine 11 secure in the up position ready for immediate use. Inserts 31 in carrier 12 are preferably used to frictionally engage magazine 11 therein.

Many users employing magazine pouches unsnap a covering flap, bend it backwards and push/it under their belts if they expect that they may need the magazine in a particular situation.

The problem with such a carrying device is the fact that removing a pouch cover does not itself move the magazine to a better position and does nothing to secure the magazine in a desirable position. The present device (1) automatically pushes the strap 18 out of the way; (2) moves the magazine 11 upwardly into position where it can be immediately grasped by a user; and (3) secures the magazine 11, by frictional engagement between the carrier 12 and the magazine 11 and secures the magazine as desired via engagement between the carrier 15 and the housing 15.

In addition, many of the magazine pouches use snaps or Velcro for magazine securement and thus the pouch may be inadvertently opened by an operator's actions. The present device 10 employs an indentation around the release mechanism to prevent accidental opening because only an object the size and shape of a finger can release strap 18. The construction of the present device requires deliberate action to open the device 10.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 illustrating details of the clip 16 and clip latch 17. Respective teeth 58 and 59 grip the webbing of flap portion 24. Upward movement of a user's finger on ribs 60 will cause locking ledge 61 to be released from lip 45A thereby unlocking strap 18 allowing removal of magazine 11 from housing 15 (see also FIG. 10).

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the use of holder 10. The user's clothed torso 62 is protected by vest or other body armor 63. Holder 10 is tilted downward to allow the magazine 11 to be easily removed from housing 15. Base clamp 19 is attached to belt 64 that fits within space 19B (FIG. 8).

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A magazine holster comprising an elongated hollow housing having an upper open end for carrying an ammunition magazine therein in a first upward position and a downward stored position, a pivot body having upper and lower portions, a horizontal pivot mounted between said lower portion and said housing for pivotally mounting said housing to said body for adjustable movement of said housing about said pivot to dispose said upper open end in at least one location being closely adjacent a body of a user to at least one other position spaced from a body of a user, a clamp bracket for attaching said pivot body to a belt worn by a user to locate said housing upper open end away from body armor or the like worn by a user.

2. The holster as defined in claim 1 further including cooperating fasteners mounted between said housing and said pivot body for selectively adjusting the horizontal distance between said housing and said pivot body.

3. The holster as defined in claim 2 wherein said cooperating fasteners include a plurality of adjustment openings formed in said upper portion of said housing and a post element mounted on said upper portion of said pivot body, said post element being selectively positionable in one said adjustment opening to adjust the distance between said housing and said pivot body.

4. The holster as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivot body includes a pair of spaced pivot posts on said lower portion and a pair of spaced pivot openings formed in said lower end of said housing, said pivot axle posts positioned in respective said pivot openings for pivotally mounting said housing to said pivot body.

5. The holster as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover includes a strap having an elongated body and opposite end portions, said end portion of said strap being affixed to said lower portion of said housing member at a first location, said elongated body being disposed over a magazine in said stored position, other said end portion of said strap releasably attached to said upper portion of said housing at a second location to secure such magazine in said stored position.

6. The holster as defined in claim 5 further including releasable locking elements attached between said other end portion of said strap and said upper portion of said housing at said second location said elements being closeable together to a first secured position to secure such magazine in said stored position and being openable to a second unsecured position to allow such magazine to be moved to said upward position to dispose said other end portion of said strap to an unobstructed magazine position adjacent a body of a user, a spring supported by said housing for biasing such magazine upwardly to said first upward position when said releasable locking elements are opened to said second unsecured position.

7. A magazine holster comprising an elongated hollow housing having an open upper end and a closed lower portion and a releasably locking top cover for securing a magazine inside said housing in a downward stored position, a magazine carrier having an open upper end and a closed lower end slideably movable upwardly and downwardly within said housing for frictionally carrying a single magazine therein, a spring biased between said closed lower portion of said housing and said closed lower end of said magazine carrier to urge upward motion of a magazine carried in said magazine carrier, a pivot body for pivotally mounting said housing having upper and lower portions and a horizontal pivot to said body for adjustable movement of said housing about said pivot to dispose said upper end in at least one location being closely adjacent a body of a user to at least one other position spaced from a body of a user, a clamp bracket for attaching said pivot body to a belt worn by a user.

8. The holster as defined in claim 7 further including cooperating fasteners mounted between said housing and said pivot body for selectively adjusting the horizontal distance between said housing and said pivot body.

9. The holster as defined in claim 8 wherein said cooperating fasteners include a plurality of adjustment openings formed in said upper portion of said housing and a post element mounted on said upper portion of said pivot body, said post element being selectively positionable in one said adjustment opening to adjust the distance between said housing and said pivot body.

10. The holster as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivot body includes a pair of spaced pivot posts on said lower portion and a pair of spaced pivot openings formed in said lower end of said housing, said pivot axle posts positioned in respective said pivot opening for pivotally mounting said housing to said pivot body.

11. The holster as defined in claim 7 wherein said cover includes a strap having an elongated body having opposite end portions, one said end portion of said strap affixed to said lower portion of said housing member at a first location, said elongated body being disposed over a magazine in said stored position, other said end portion of said strap releasably attached to said upper portion of said housing at a second location to secure such magazine in said stored position, and a pair of cooperating releasable locking elements, one said locking fastener affixed to said other end of said strap, other said locking fastener affixed to said housing adjacent said second location to releasably attach said other end of said strap to said housing at said second location, said elements being attachable together to form a first secured position to secure such magazine in said stored position and being releasable to a second unsecured position to allow such magazine to be moved to said upward position to dispose said other end portion of said strap adjacent a body of a user.

12. The holster as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivot body includes a pair of pivot axle posts mounted on and projecting outwardly and a pair of pivot openings formed in said housing, respective said pivot axle post being positioned in corresponding said one pivot opening for pivotally mounting said pivot body to said housing.

13. The holster as defined in claim 11 wherein said housing includes an outside shell element having upper and lower portions and an inside shell element having upper and lower portions, said shell elements affixed together to define said interior space.

14. The holster as defined in claim 13 wherein said one end portion of said strap is affixed between said lower portions of said shell elements.

15. The holster as defined in claim 14 wherein said other end portion of said strap is affixed to said upper portion of said outside shell element.

16. A magazine holster comprising an elongated housing member having an interior space including an open upper end and a closed lower portion and a closeable top cover member for securing a magazine inside said housing member in a downward stored position, a magazine carrier having an open upper end and a closed lower end slideably movable upwardly and downwardly within said housing member for snugly carrying a single magazine therein, a spring biased between said closed lower portion of said housing member and said closed lower end of said magazine carrier to urge upward motion of a magazine carried in said magazine carrier, a pivot body member having upper and lower portions and a horizontal pivot member for pivotally mounting said housing to said body for adjustable movement of said housing member about said pivot to dispose said upper end in at least one location closely adjacent a body of a user to selected positions spaced from a body of a user, a bracket and at least one fastener for attaching said pivot body member to a belt worn by a user.

17. The holster as defined in claim 16 further including cooperating fasteners mounted between said housing member and said pivot body member for selectively adjusting the horizontal distance between said housing member and said pivot body member.

18. The holster as defined in claim 17 wherein said cooperating fasteners include a plurality of adjustment openings formed in one said member and a post element mounted on other said member, said post element being selectively positionable in one said adjustment opening to adjust the distance between said members.

19. The holster as defined in claim 16 wherein one said member includes at least one pivot axle post mounted on and projecting outwardly form said lower portion and at least one pivot opening formed in said lower end of other said member, said at least one pivot axle post positioned in said at least one pivot opening for pivotally mounting said members together.

20. The holster as defined in claim 16 wherein said cover member includes a strap having an elongated body and first and second end portions, said first end portion of said strap affixed to said housing member at a first location, a portion of said second end portion of said elongated body being disposed over a magazine in said stored position, said second end portion of said strap releasably attached to said housing at a second location to secure such magazine in said stored position.

21. The holster as defined in claim 20 further including a pair of cooperating releasable locking elements, one said locking fastener affixed to said first end of said strap, other said locking fastener affixed to said housing adjacent said second location to releasably attach said second end of said strap to said housing at said second location, said spring moving such magazine upwardly when said locking elements are released to force said portion of said second portion of said strap over such magazine away from such magazine and adjacent a body of a user.